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Smithville Police Make Arrest In Last Week's Burglary at Jewel's Market

June 18, 2007

by:

Dwayne Page

Smithville Police have made an arrest in last Monday morning's burglary of Jewel's Market on South Congress Boulevard in which a case of lottery tickets were stolen.

Chief Thomas J. Stufano says detectives, working a series of burglaries and thefts, have arrested 37 year old Anthony Colwell of 614 Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville.

Stufano says police received numerous tips from media coverage last week of a burglary and theft at Jewel's Market on South Congress Boulevard. Detectives were also able to link the Jewel's Market theft with a crime that occurred at Walmart in Smithville.

Chief Stufano says \"Video surveillance captured Colwell's appearance at two different locations during the commission of his crimes. Contact was made with the Tennessee Lottery Commission who also helped in the investigation.\" The stolen lottery tickets have been invalidated.

Colwell was paroled in February for similar crimes.

Officers from the Smithville Police Department and the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department went to Colwell's address last week but he evaded arrest by running through some woods at the rear of his residence.

Smithville Police and DeKalb County deputies again responded to the residence on Sunday and found Colwell hiding under a couch that had been altered in the living room. Colwell was subsequently arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $40,000 bond. He was charged with Burglary, Theft, Vandalism, Evading Arrest, and two counts of Theft over $1,000. The Tennessee Parole Board has also been notified and is following up with a violation.

The offense report in the Jewel's Market case states that \"On or about Monday, June 11th at approximately 1:19 a.m., Officer Leilani Defore was dispatched to an alarm at 1226 South Congress Boulevard. Upon arrival, Officer Defore observed that the front door glass had been shattered to gain entry into Jewel's Market. There were lottery tickets strewn in the parking lot between the store and the car wash, south of the store. There was no sign of anyone on the premises at that time. Store owner Jewel Redmon then arrived and stated that the only thing that he could tell was missing was a case of lottery tickets. There were also pry marks on the side door where someone had attempted to gain entry and failed due to a wooden brace being across the door.\"

Chief Stufano says \"The overwhelming support of the community and media during this investigation made a significant impact on the recovery and arrest of this individual.\"

In another incident Smithville Police arrested 24 year old David Teachout of 558 East main Street, Smithville for Domestic Assault. Officers responded to a reported fight in progress at the address and found a female victim crying from a reported hurt arm. The incident started when Teachout and the victim's 11 year old son began fighting. The female was pushed by Teachout and fell backwards over a washing machine. Teachout was arrested and charged with Domestic Assault and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $2,500 bond.

Buddy Certain of 907 West Main Street, Smithville was also arrested for Domestic Assault. Officers responding to a complaint arrived to see Certain on the floor holding down a female victim by her neck. Further investigation noted that the two had been arguing and Certain slammed the victim against a wall numerous times. He was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $2,500 bond.

Chief Stufano says \"Smithville Police thank the residents and community for their continued participation in the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program which in recent months has provided a wealth of investigative information. Citizens are more vigilant now with the introduction of the program in watching out for their neighbors. As always your confidentiality will be maintained.\"